The Possessive Lord's Contract Wife

"I’m sorry," Eloise apologised to Damien. She managed to send Millie inside after calming her down. "Millie is a family friend. When I was here with my father, she and all the other neighbours would care for us. I will be safe here."

Damien examined the small home. He had better shelter for Eloise, but knew she would find comfort in a familiar face.

"Why didn’t you introduce me as your fiancé?" Damien asked, stuck on Eloise’s disappointing introduction.

"I did say that you would be my husband. I don’t want to say too much now because Millie would wake the neighbours to tell them. I will share the news in the morning. I am not in the mood to speak of weddings at the moment. I won’t hide it for long," Eloise promised.

"You will have no choice but to reveal it in the morning. I will come for you so we can go to your uncle to tell him about the engagement," said Damien.

Damien noticed hesitation from Eloise’s end. "Do you plan to keep it a secret from him as well?"

"No," Eloise shook her head. "I am ready to speak to my uncle. It is Iris I am afraid to face. Though you were not in love with her, she was in love with you, and I was rooting for you two. It is unfortunate that it was you she had set her sights on."

Eloise didn’t want to lose Iris, but it proved inevitable for Iris to be angry.

"Reveal her father is a murderer. That should distract her."

"Damien!" Eloise gasped.

Damien shrugged his shoulders. "She will learn of it one day. Why not now?"

"I am going to tell her the truth, but you must understand why I worry. I worry most about what the town will say for her sake. It will not only affect him, but Iris as well, and she wants to marry," Eloise said, her heart aching for Iris.

"Then, do you intend to keep a secret to protect her?"

"No. I love my father too much to let his murderer walk free. Perhaps I can find a way to help her when this is all over if she doesn’t hate me then. I could leave with her," Eloise considered.

Damien frowned, irritated by the plan. "And leave your husband? Why is it that I am the only one who takes our vows seriously?"

"I shall take them seriously after I have said them. My issue lies with Clive and Agatha, not Iris. She has always been good to me, and if there is a chance we may still be close, I shall take it. She is very dear to me," Eloise said, hopeful Damien wouldn’t be against Iris.

"Thank you once more for all that you did tonight. I am truly grateful for it and our rekindled friendship. I should help your men to find what is important to me so you can be on your way sooner. I suppose I must set this down," Eloise said, staring at the vase.

"My father once liked you," Eloise said as she approached Damien to offer the vase. "I think he wouldn’t mind being held by you, and in a way, he has now met my future husband. I like to think he got his wish. Excuse me," Eloise parted from Damien.

Eloise was uncertain how her marriage to Damien would fare, but in the present moment, she found his presence to be comforting.

Eloise helped search the house for her parents’ belongings that had not yet been taken, and sent Damien off once they were placed in the carriage.

Inside the carriage, Gage stared at the few boxes they had gathered.

"Your siblings might not welcome this surprise, and your aunt might not be pleased," said Gage.

Damien sat with his eyes closed as he plotted out his next step. "Why not? She was the one who said my estate needs a lady and an heir."

"She will be angry that you are not giving her enough time to prepare for a wedding. Your aunt will not settle for a small wedding. Also-"

"You are far too chatty," Damien said, rubbing his temple.

"I want to ask if you are certain about pulling Miss Eloise into your world. She appears to be a quiet lady who enjoys a quiet life, and your world is anything but quiet. It will be a drastic change for her," Gage said, thinking of the challenges Eloise will face.

"I have known Eloise since my youth, and she knows well what is in store for being married to me. She will surprise you. Now, shut up," Damien said, opening his eyes. "You are giving me a headache."

Gage folded his lips, careful not to let another sound out.

Damien shifted his gaze to the carriage window. He had much to prepare for Eloise’s stay in his estate.

"Stop the carriage!" Damien yelled, spotting a familiar face.

The carriage stopped abruptly, and Gage opened the door for Damien.

Damien stepped out of the carriage and stared at a man who had a death wish. "Stanley O’Henry. What was it you said about having my money before morning?"

Stanley froze after hearing the voice of a reaper. He dared not turn around to face Damien. "L-Lord Hawthorne. Merciful, Lord Hawthorne. I was coming to your home, but I lost my way."

"My estate didn’t move, Stanley. It seems you have a wish to die," Damien said as he approached the trembling fool.

Stanley turned around and dropped to his knees. "Spare me just this once."

"I have already spared you once," said Damien.

"Be so kind as to spare me again. Think of my wife and children," Stanley said, clasping his hands.

Damien wasn’t the slightest bit amused by Stanley. "You aren’t married, nor do you have children."

"One day I might," Stanley said, hopeful. "Wait, wait! I promise I will get some of the money soon. Until then, I will do anything you want. I will work for free."

"It wouldn’t be working for free. You would be paying off a debt. You are in luck since I have a little task for you. I want you to find me all the men in town who would be bold to change a will," said Damien.

"But that’s against the law-"

"It will also cost you your head if you do not accept," Damien spoke over Stanley. "The next time I see you, I will kill you if you are without my money or what I seek. I’m giving you a few days."

"You are most gracious," Stanley said, relieved he could live another day.

Stanley smiled when he noticed Damien started to walk back to his carriage.

"And Stanley," Damien said, sparing one final glance at the pathetic man. "If you run, I will gut you while you are still alive and feed you to pigs. Be wise not to toy with me anymore."

"I won’t," Stanley replied, getting rid of his plans to run away. "I will come see you soon, Lord Hawthorne."